Wireless station location detection and management

ABSTRACT

A wireless base station (such as disposed in a building) synchronizes itself with each of multiple reference stations in a network environment that transmit wireless signals. The wireless base station receives the wireless signals from the multiple reference stations. Based on timing of the received wireless signals, the wireless base station determines its location in a building with respect to the multiple reference stations. The determined location is then used as a basis to notify an allocation management resource of a location of the wireless base station for allocation of one or more wireless channels.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of earlier filed U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/026,559 entitled “WIRELESS STATIONLOCATION DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT,” (Attorney Docket No. CHTR-2020-97),filed on Sep. 21, 2020, the entire teachings of which are incorporatedherein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to determine a location of a wireless stationoperating in a wireless network environment. Thus, wireless stationsoften include GPS (Global Positioning System) capability enabling arespective wireless station to determine its location, whether fixed orchanging over time because the wireless station is mobile.

Another way to determine a location of a wireless station is to accessconfiguration information manually generated by a Certified ProfessionalInstaller (CPI) that installs the wireless station at a fixed location.According to conventional techniques, manual generation and storage oflocation information in a wireless station is particularly useful incircumstances in which the wireless station resides indoors because GPStechnology relies on use of satellites to determine a location of awireless station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure includes the observation that determination of alocation of a wireless base station in a wireless network environmentand allocation of wireless channels to wireless base station suffer fromdeficiencies. For example, GPS technology is not always reliable toaccurately determine a location of a wireless base station, especiallywhen the wireless base station is located in a building and the GPSsignals are unable to pass through the building at a sufficiently highpower level for the wireless base station to detect them. Additionally,manual generation and storage of location information by a technicianfor a respective wireless base station is tedious and time consuming. Incertain instances, a wireless base station may move from one location toanother in a building or may be moved to a location outside of thebuilding. In such an instance, manual generation of location informationis again undesirable.

In contrast to conventional techniques, embodiments herein includeproviding improved location determination of a wireless base station andallocation of wireless channels in a wireless network environment.

Embodiments herein include a first transponder of multiple transpondersin a network environment. The first transponder receives a firstwireless satellite signal; the first wireless signal is received at afirst wireless carrier frequency. The first wireless satellite signalsupports location determination. The first transponder converts thefirst wireless satellite signal into a first wireless transpondersignal. The first transponder transmits the first wireless transpondersignal at a second carrier frequency. Via the first wireless transpondersignal and additional wireless transponder signals from multipletransponders (such as a second transponder, third transponder, etc.), awireless station determines its location in a network environment.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the wireless station isdisposed in a building that blocks the wireless station from receivingthe first wireless satellite signal. In one embodiment, the wirelessstation is unable to receive the first wireless satellite signaltransmitted at the first wireless carrier frequency because the firstwireless satellite signal does not pass through the building atsufficiently high power. The transponder can be configured to include afirst mixer. The first mixer multiplies (modulates) the first wirelesssatellite signal by the second carrier frequency to produce the firstwireless transponder signal. In one embodiment, the first wirelesstransponder signal is one of multiple sideband signals produced by thefirst mixer. One of the sidebands is selected and communicated to thewireless base station.

As previously discussed, a network environment can be configured toinclude multiple transponders such as the first transponder and a secondtransponder. The second transponder receives a second wireless satellitesignal. The second wireless satellite signal is received at a thirdwireless carrier frequency and supports location determination. Thesecond transponder converts the second wireless satellite signal into asecond wireless transponder signal communicated at a fourth carrierfrequency in the network environment. The second wireless transpondersignal supports location determination by the wireless base station.

In still further example embodiments, conversion of the second wirelesssatellite signal into the second transponder signal includes: via asecond mixer, multiplying the second wireless satellite signal by thefourth carrier frequency to produce the second wireless transpondersignal.

In one embodiment, the first wireless satellite signal is transmittedfrom a first GPS (Global Positing System) satellite; and the secondwireless satellite signal is transmitted from a second GPS satellite.

In still further example embodiments, the first transponder receives asecond wireless satellite signal; the second wireless signal is receivedat a particular wireless carrier frequency and supports the locationdetermination. The first transponder converts the second wirelesssatellite signal into a second wireless transponder signal and transmitsthe second wireless transponder signal in the network environment. Thesecond transponder wireless signal is transmitted at a different carrierfrequency than the particular carrier frequency and supports thelocation determination by the wireless station.

In accordance with further example embodiments, note that each of thetransponders is configured to transmit respective location signals usingthe same carrier frequency, but each transponder transmitted wirelesssignal (location signal) is coordinated in time so as not to interferewith the other transponders using time division multiplexing (a.k.a.,TDM) techniques. In one embodiment, this is achieved via synchronizingeach transponder with a common GPS timing signal and then delayingtransmission times with respect to each other. For example, a firsttransponder 1 transmits at time T1, a second transponder 2 transmits attime T1+a, a third transponder 3 transmits at time T1+a+b, etc. In suchan instance, only a single or fewer carrier frequencies are needed. Notethat other modulation techniques are also possible such as spreadspectrum. This could be beneficial in RF noisy areas.

Further embodiments herein include, via the wireless station: receivingthe first wireless transponder signal; deriving the first wirelesssatellite signal from the first wireless transponder signal; andutilizing the first wireless satellite signal derived from the firstwireless transponder signal to determine a location of the wirelessstation in the network environment. The wireless station communicatesthe determined location of the wireless station to a communicationmanagement resource that allocates use of wireless bandwidth to thewireless station based on the determined location.

In still further example embodiments, the first transponder wirelesslytransmits a message in the network environment; the message indicates alocation of the first transponder.

In accordance with further example embodiments, a wireless base stationsynchronizes itself with each of multiple reference stations in anetwork environment. The wireless base station of unknown locationreceives wireless signals from the multiple reference stations. Based ontiming of the received wireless signals, the wireless base stationdetermines its current location in the building with respect to themultiple reference stations.

In one embodiment, each of the reference stations determines its ownlocation such as via reception of wireless signals transmitted frommultiple different satellites. The reference stations communicatelocation information indicating their location to the wireless basestation. Thus, the wireless base station receives location informationindicating locations of the multiple reference stations. The wirelessbase station determines its location (in the building) based on thetiming of the received wireless signals and the locations of themultiple reference stations.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the multiple referencestations include a first wireless station, a second wireless station,and a third wireless station. The wireless base station receives a firstwireless signal from the first reference station disposed at a firstlocation of the building; the wireless base station receives a secondwireless signal from the second reference station disposed at a secondlocation of the building; the wireless base station receives a thirdwireless signal from the third reference station disposed at a thirdlocation of the building. In one embodiment, based on the timing ofreceiving the wireless signals and locations of the reference stations,the wireless base station determines its own location.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the wireless basestation determines a respective time delay of communications from eachof the multiple reference stations and the wireless base station; thewireless base station determines the location of the wireless basestation based at least in part on the respective time delays (e.g., timeof flight information).

In one embodiment, the reference stations are located on the building ata specific one or more heights. Further embodiments herein include, viathe received wireless signals, determining a height of the wireless basestation in the building with respect to the multiple reference stations.

In still further example embodiments, the wireless base station is afirst wireless base station of multiple wireless base stations in thebuilding. Subsequent to the first wireless base station determining itslocation, the first wireless base station transmits a wireless locationsignal from the first wireless base station to any other listeningwireless base stations. In one embodiment, the wireless location signalsupports determination of a respective location of a second wirelessbase station in the network environment.

In yet further example embodiments, the building is a first building inthe network environment. The network environment includes a secondbuilding. In one embodiment, the multiple reference stations include atleast a first reference station and a second reference station. Thefirst reference station is installed in the first building; the secondreference station installed in the second building of the networkenvironment. In such an instance, the wireless base station determinesits location based on reference stations in one or more differentbuildings.

Note that any of the resources as discussed herein can include one ormore computerized devices, communication management resources, mobilecommunication devices, servers, base stations, wireless communicationequipment, communication management systems, controllers, workstations,user equipment, handheld or laptop computers, cloud computing, or thelike to carry out and/or support any or all of the method operationsdisclosed herein. In other words, one or more computerized devices orprocessors can be programmed and/or configured to operate as explainedherein to carry out the different embodiments as described herein.

Yet other embodiments herein include software programs to perform thesteps and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below. Onesuch embodiment comprises a computer program product including anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium (such as any computerreadable hardware storage medium, computer readable storage hardware,etc.) on which software instructions are encoded for subsequentexecution. The instructions, when executed in a computerized device(hardware) having a processor, program and/or cause the processor(hardware) to perform the operations disclosed herein. Such arrangementsare typically provided as software, code, instructions, and/or otherdata (e.g., data structures) arranged or encoded on a non-transitorycomputer readable storage hardware medium such as an optical medium(e.g., CD-ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick, memory device,etc., or other a medium such as firmware in one or more ROM, RAM, PROM,etc., or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc. Thesoftware or firmware or other such configurations can be installed on acomputerized device to cause the computerized device to perform thetechniques explained herein.

Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to a method, system,computer program product, etc., that supports operations as discussedherein.

One embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/or systemhaving instructions stored thereon to facilitate location determinationin a network environment. The instructions, when executed by computerprocessor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware (such as oneor more co-located or disparately processor devices or hardware) to:synchronize the wireless base station with each of multiple referencestations in a network environment; receive wireless signals from themultiple reference stations; and based on timing of the receivedwireless signals, determine a location of the wireless base station inthe building with respect to the multiple reference stations.

Another embodiment herein includes a computer readable storage mediumand/or system having instructions stored thereon to facilitate locationdetermination in a network environment. The instructions, when executedby computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware(such as one or more co-located or disparately processor devices orhardware) to: receive a first wireless satellite signal, the firstwireless signal received at a first wireless carrier frequency andsupporting location determination; convert the first wireless satellitesignal into a first wireless transponder signal; and transmit the firstwireless transponder signal in a network environment including awireless station, the first transponder wireless signal transmitted at asecond carrier frequency and supporting location determination by thewireless station.

Note that the ordering of the steps above has been added for claritysake. Further note that any of the processing steps as discussed hereincan be performed in any suitable order.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programsand/or respective hardware to perform any of the method embodiment stepsand operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.

It is to be understood that the system, method, apparatus, instructionson computer readable storage media, etc., as discussed herein also canbe embodied strictly as a software program, firmware, as a hybrid ofsoftware, hardware and/or firmware, or as hardware alone such as withina processor (hardware or software), or within an operating system or awithin a software application.

As discussed herein, techniques herein are well suited for use in thefield of providing communication services. However, it should be notedthat embodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications andthat the techniques discussed herein are well suited for otherapplications as well.

Additionally, note that although each of the different features,techniques, configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in differentplaces of this disclosure, it is intended, where suitable, that each ofthe concepts can optionally be executed independently of each other orin combination with each other. Accordingly, the one or more presentinventions as described herein can be embodied and viewed in manydifferent ways.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments herein (BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS) purposefully does not specify everyembodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosureor claimed invention(s). Instead, this brief description only presentsgeneral embodiments and corresponding points of novelty overconventional techniques. For additional details and/or possibleperspectives (permutations) of the invention(s), the reader is directedto the Detailed Description section (which is a summary of embodiments)and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating a wireless network environmentand implementation of location determination techniques according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating implementation of one or morerepeaters (transponders) in a network environment according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating signal conversion according toembodiments herein

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating location determination using asingle reference station according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating multiple reference stationsdetermining their locations according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating determination of location of awireless station in a building using input from multiple referencestations according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating allocation of one or morewireless channels to a wireless base station based on its determinedlocation according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating allocation/deallocation ofwireless channels from a tiered hierarchy according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating example computer architectureoperable to execute one or more operations according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain wireless communication devices are only allowed to operate incertain locations. One example is an indoor CBRS radio device (such as afemtocell or wireless base station). In the case of an indoor CBRS radiodevice, the spectrum it occupies is shared. The sharing of the spectrum(such as the wireless CBRS band) is managed by a Spectrum Access System(SAS). The SAS determines what spectrum the CBRS radio can transmit onbased on knowledge of where the radio is located, and what other devicesare nearby that are also sharing the spectrum. When outdoors, GPSsignals can be used. However, reception of GPS signals requiresline-of-sight from the GPS satellite to the terrestrial GPS receiver inthe wireless base station. Thus, wireless base stations disposed in astructure such as a building do not have the ability to determine theirlocation based on GPS signals received from satellites.

Embodiments herein include a system that determines location of arespective communication device when line-of-sight to a GPS satellite isnot available to that device such as due to signals being blocked. Thesystem also detects whether the device has been relocated from anoriginal location to new location.

In addition to working with a SAS to ensure the communication devicedoes not cause interference, it can also be used to “geo-fence” thedevice to inactivate it. For example, in one embodiment, the wirelessservice provided through a provisioning system communicates a locationvalue to the communication device. This location value indicates thelocation where the service provider expects the communication device(such as wireless base station) to reside and be used to providewireless service by a respective subscriber to which the wireless basestation is provisioned. The communication device compares this locationdata (location value) provisioned in it by the service provider or someother entity with the calculated location as determined by the wirelessbase station from the location transponders, wireless referencestations, etc. In accordance with further example embodiments, theservice provider can be configured to provision the communication devicewith a deviation parameter that indicates how far from the provisionedlocation the communication device (wireless base station determining itslocation) can deviate from before the device ceases to operate (such aswirelessly transmit signals). This is sometimes referred to as“geo-fencing”. It is used to ensure that the communication device isonly used within an authorized area and/or to discourage removal of thedevice from a specific area.

In the case of CBRS or any system requiring the use of a SAS,embodiments herein also provide a mechanism to enable the SAS to trackthe device throughout a building or a geographic area so that the devicecan be moved or even in motion. The SAS controls allocation of one ormore wireless channels to the device to prevent wireless interferencewith other communication devices.

Conventional approaches of determining the location of a respectivewireless communication device have included professional installationsusing a GPS receiver at the periphery of the building/location where aGPS signal is available, and then manually measuring from that point towhere the newly installed device is mounted. Typically the device ismounted permanently to ensure that an unauthorized individual does notmove the device to a location where it causes interference.

Timing and Synchronization Beacons

The LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless communication protocol has aNetwork Listening capability for synchronizing femtocells (small cellwireless base stations) with macrocells (large cell wireless basestations).

A femtocell wireless base station can be configured to determine itslocation and synchronize itself to a network by communicating with aMacrocell wireless base station. The macrocell wireless base station canbe equipped with an application that performs PTP (Precision TimingProtocol). The application retrieves timing from GPS signals. Locationinformation can also be retrieved.

In one embodiment, the femtocell base station communicates with themacrocell and connects to the application. The femtocell requestssynchronization. The application then initiates the PTP protocol. ThePTP protocol synchronizes the femtocell and also determines thepropagation delay from the macrocell to the femtocell. In oneembodiment, the application also provides a time window for thefemtocell to check back in for a time update. The time window may bebased on the holdover time that the femtocell clock is able to maintain.In one embodiment, the holdover time of the femtocell is communicatedfrom the femtocell to the macrocell. The reason for the time window isto spread out the requests to even out the load on the macrocell tosupport timing.

The PTP algorithm as previously discussed can be configured to alsoallow the femtocell to know what the propagation delay is between themacrocell and the femtocell. The macrocell can provide its locationcoordinates, or the femtocell can retrieve the location of the macrocellfrom a database. The femto cell now attempts to communicate with asecond or possibly a third, fourth, etc., macrocell and requests a PTPalgorithm be run. With location coordinates from 2 or more macrocells,and time of flight delay time of wireless communications, the femtocellcan calculate its own location. This location information of thewireless base station is communicated to the SAS. This locationinformation can also be used to track the femtocell, or even geo-fencethe femtocell.

In accordance with further example embodiments, after the femtocell issynchronized, it can behave as the macrocell in assisting other devicesin determining their location and becoming synchronized.

A synchronized femtocell, or a functionally reduced femtocell can beconfigured to act as an active timing and location beacon. If in theCBRS band, it needs a way to contact a SAS. It can do so by first actingas a UE and calling a serving application. It reports its location fromthe GPS information it receives. In this way, the timing and locationbeacon does not need a permanent connection to the network.

Alternatively, if it does have a permanent connection to the network, itcan use the same techniques as the femtocells to triangulate itslocation if it does not have GPS or is in a location where a GPS signalis not available.

This capability does not need to be a particular band. It could be inthe CBRS band with CBRS service and compliant with SAS. It could also bein unlicensed bands. If implemented in lower frequency bands, coveragewill be better provided that the femtocells also have radios in the samelower bands.

Now, more specifically, with reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 is anexample diagram illustrating a communication network environment andrespective wireless connectivity according to embodiments herein.

As shown, network environment 100 includes multiple transpondersincluding transponder 121, transponder 122, transponder 123, etc. Eachof the transponders reside at a fixed location of a respective structure175 such as a one or more buildings or other suitable entity.

For example, in this embodiment, the transponder 121 resides at locationL1; the transponder 122 resides at location L2; the transponder 123resides at location L3; and so on.

The network environment 100 further includes any number of satellitessuch as satellite 151, satellite 152, satellite 153, etc. Each of thesatellites communicates a respective wireless location signal in thenetwork environment 100.

For example, the satellite 151 broadcasts wireless communication signal151-1 in the network environment 100. Each of the transponders 121(a.k.a., T1), 122 (a.k.a., T2), 123 (a.k.a., T3), etc., receives thewireless signal 151-1.

The satellite 152 broadcasts wireless communication signal 152-1 in thenetwork environment 100. Each of the transponders 121, 122, 123, etc.,receives the wireless signal 152-1.

The satellite 153 broadcasts wireless communication signal 153-1 in thenetwork environment 100. Each of the transponders 121, 122, 123, etc.,receives the wireless signal 153-1.

In one embodiment, each of the satellites in network environment 100communicates the respective wireless signals in accordance with GPS(Global Positioning System) technology. In one embodiment, thetransponders determine their location based on timing of receiving eachof the wireless signals such as using GPS techniques.

For example, the transponder 121 receives: i) wireless signal 151-1transmitted from the satellite 151, ii) wireless signal 152-1transmitted from the satellite 152, and iii) wireless signal 153-1transmitted from the satellite 153.

In one embodiment, if desired, each of the transponders determines theirlocation by computing, for each received satellite signal, thedifference between the time that a respective wireless signal istransmitted from a respective satellite and the time the respectivewireless signal is received by the transponder. The satellites can beconfigured to implement atomic clocks that provide extremely accuratetime.

In one embodiment, to determine location, the transponder determines thetime difference between the time of signal reception by the transponderand the broadcast time from the satellite (as indicated by informationin the received wireless signal) to compute the distance of therespective transponder to the satellite. Based on time of flightinformation associated with receiving each of 3 or more wirelesssatellite signals, each of the transponders determines its location. Ifdesired, each of the transponders communicates their determined locationcoordinates to the wireless base station 131 in furtherance of thewireless base station 131 calculating its location as further discussedherein.

In one embodiment, as its name suggests, time of flight represents atime it takes for a respective signal to travel from the satellite tothe corresponding transponder. For example, wireless signal 151-1 has atime of flight X1 between satellite 151 and transponder 121; wirelesssignal 152-1 has a time of flight Y1 between satellite 152 andtransponder 121; wireless signal 153-1 has a time of flight Z1 betweensatellite 153 and transponder 121.

Wireless signal 151-1 has a time of flight X2 between satellite 151 andtransponder 122; wireless signal 152-1 has a time of flight Y2 betweensatellite 152 and transponder 122; wireless signal 153-1 has a time offlight Z2 between satellite 153 and transponder 122.

Wireless signal 151-1 has a time of flight X3 between satellite 151 andtransponder 123; wireless signal 152-1 has a time of flight Y3 betweensatellite 152 and transponder 123; wireless signal 153-1 has a time offlight Z3 between satellite 153 and transponder 123.

Because each of the wireless signals from respective satellites travelat a known speed (such as 186,000 miles per second), the times of flightindicate a respective distance (such as time of flight time speed)between the corresponding satellite and the receiving transponder.

The transponder 121 therefore receives the wireless signal 151-1,wireless signal 152-1, wireless signal 153-1. Based on a times of flight(such as X1, Y1, Z1) of these wireless signals and determination ofcorresponding distances, and a known location of the satellites, thetransponder 121 determines its location as being L1.

The transponder 122 therefore receives the wireless signal 151-1,wireless signal 152-1, wireless signal 153-1. Based on a times of flight(such as X2, Y2, Z2) of the wireless signals and determination ofcorresponding distances, and a known location of the satellites, thetransponder 122 determines its location as being L2.

The transponder 123 therefore receives the wireless signal 151-1,wireless signal 152-1, wireless signal 153-1. Based on a times of flight(such as X3, Y3, Z3) of the wireless signals, and a known location ofthe satellites, the transponder 123 determines its location as being L3.

Thus, in one embodiment, each of the transponders determines itsrespective location (such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) in thestructure 175 based upon reception and processing of wireless signals.

Additionally or alternatively, note that a respective installationtechnician can be configured to program each of the transponders withcorresponding location information indicating their respective locationin the network environment 100.

In one embodiment, based on the processing of the received wirelesssignals, each of the transponders determines its location such aslatitude, longitude, and altitude in the network environment.

In accordance with further example embodiments, note that eachtransponder broadcasts one or more wireless signals (such as beacons) invicinity of the structure 175 (such as one or more buildings) to any ofone or more wireless stations in the structure 175 that would like todetermine their respective location.

For example, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 , the transponder 121generates wireless signals 121-1 based on one or more of the receivedwireless signals 151-1, 152-1, and 153-1; the transponder 122 generateswireless signals 122-1 based on one or more of the received wirelesssignals 151-1, 152-1, and 153-1; the transponder 123 generates wirelesssignals 123-1 based on one or more of the received wireless signals151-1, 152-1, and 153-1.

As a further more specific example, in one embodiment, the transponder121 generates wireless signal 121-1 from the wireless signal 151-1 andcarrier frequency CFY1; the transponder 122 generates wireless signal122-1 from the wireless signal 152-1 and carrier frequency CFY2; thetransponder 123 generates wireless signal 123-1 from the wireless signal153-1 and carrier frequency CFY3.

Carrier frequencies CFY1, CFY2, CFY3, etc., are the same or differentcarrier frequencies. For example, when each of the transponders uses asame carrier frequency such as CFZ for modulating, the transponderstransmit wireless signals 121-1, 122-1, 123-1, etc., at different timesto avoid interference amongst each other.

More specifically, in accordance with further example embodiments, notethat each of the transponders can be configured to transmit using thesame carrier frequency, but each transponder transmitted signal(location signal) is coordinated in time so as not to interfere with theother transponders using time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques. Inone embodiment, this is achieved via synchronizing each transponder witha common GPS timing signal. For example, a first transponder 121transmits at time T1, a second transponder 122 transmits at time T1+a(where a is a delay time), a third transponder 123 transmits at timeT1+a+b (where b is a delay time), etc. In such an instance, only asingle or fewer carrier frequencies are needed. Note that othermodulation techniques are also possible such as spread spectrum. Thiscould be beneficial in RF noisy areas.

Additionally, in one embodiment, wireless signals 121-1, 122-1, 123-1,etc., transmitted from respective transponders are encrypted via anencryption key. In such an instance, the wireless base station 131 hasan appropriate decryption key to decrypt the wireless signals 121-1,122-1, 123-1, etc.

In accordance with further example embodiments, via the one or morewireless signals 121-1, 122-1, 123-1, etc., the wireless base station131 determines its current location.

In accordance with further example embodiments, each of the transpondersdetermines its location and forwards such information to the wirelessbase station 131. In one embodiment, the wireless base station 131 usesthe location of the transponders as a basis to determine its ownlocation. Alternatively, the wireless base station 131 determines itslocation L131 based only on the time of flight information associatedwith the received wireless signals without accounting for locations ofthe respective transponders.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , after determining its location, note thatthe wireless base station 131 communicates (such as communications 161registering and requesting one or more wireless channels) over network190 to the communication management resource 140 such as a so-calleddomain proxy that handles communications on behalf of the allocationmanagement resource 155 (such as a spectrum access system). As its namesuggests, the allocation management resource 155 keeps track of andcontrols allocating one or more wireless channels (such as viacommunications 162) to wireless stations in the network environment 100such that the two nearby wireless stations are not allocated the samewireless channel. Allocating one or more wireless channels based onknowing a location of each of the requesting one or more wirelessstations and spatially separating use of the same wireless channel inthe different locations prevents wireless interference amongst thewireless base stations.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating implementation of one or moretransponders (such as repeaters) according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, each of the transponders is configured tore-transmit a selected one of the multiple received wirelesscommunication signals from satellites. Alternatively, each of thetransponders re-transits each of the communication signals received fromthe satellites.

In one embodiment, in a case in which a respective transponder onlytransmits a single received wireless communication signal of themultiple received wireless communication signals, the transponderselects the wireless signal generated by the nearest satellite withrespect to the corresponding transponder.

For example, assume in this example embodiment that satellite 151 isnearest to transponder 121 (time of flight X1 is less than X2, time offlight X1 is less than time of flight X3), satellite 152 is nearest totransponder 122 (time of flight Y2 is less than time of flight Y1, timeof flight Y2 is less than Y3), satellite 153 is nearest to transponder123 (time of flight Z3 is less than time of flight Z1, time of flight Z3is less than time of flight Z2).

In such an instance, using the shortest paths as previously discussedsimulates the wireless base station 131 receiving the wirelesscommunication signals 151-1, 152-1, and 153-1 if it were possible. Asfurther discussed herein, the wireless base station 131 instead receiveswireless communication signals 121-1, 122-1, and 123-1 to estimate itslocation L131.

However, as previously discussed, as an alternative to re-broadcasting asingle wireless signal, note that each of the transponders can beconfigured to re-transmit each of the received wireless communicationsignals if desired. In this latter instance, each of the transpondersretransmits each of the wireless communication signals received fromeach satellite.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 , the transponder 121 receives thewireless communication signal 151-1 at a carrier frequency such as CFX1(such as around 1.2 to 1.5 GHz). The transponder 122 receives thewireless communication signal 152-1 at a carrier frequency such as CFX2(such as around 1.2 to 1.5 GHz). The transponder 123 receives thewireless communication signal 153-1 at a first carrier frequency such asCFX3 (such as around 1.2 to 1.5 GHz).

As previously discussed, each of the wireless signals 151-1, 152-1, and153-1 is a GPS wireless signal that does not transmit at a sufficientlyhigh power level through the structure 175 to the wireless base station131. Thus, the wireless base station 131 is unable to determine itslocation based on these wireless communication signals transmitted fromthe satellites.

Embodiments herein as shown in FIG. 2 include re-transmitting thereceived wireless signals at a different carrier frequency (such asaround 990 MHz or other suitable value) using a modulator (a.k.a., amixer or multiplier). The transponders transmit the respective wirelesssignals at sufficient power to travel through a respective building tothe wireless base station 131.

In this example embodiment, the transponder 121 includes a modulator221. Modulator 221 receives the wireless signal 151-1 as a first inputas well as a new carrier frequency CFYx (where x=1, 2, 3, 4, . . . )such as a carrier frequency in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific andMedical) band or another suitable band as a second input. Via themodulator 221, the transponder 121 modulates the received wirelesssignal 151-1 onto a new carrier frequency CFY1 to produce the wirelesssignal 121-1, which is then broadcasted from transponder 121 as wirelesssignal 121-1 through the structure 175 to any listening wireless basestations.

The transponder 122 includes a modulator 222. Modulator 222 receives thewireless signal 152-1 as a first input as well as a new carrierfrequency CFY2 as a second input. Via the modulator 222, the transponder122 modulates the received wireless signal 152-1 onto a new carrierfrequency CFY2 to produce the wireless signal 122-1, which isbroadcasted from the transponder 122 through the structure 175 to anylistening wireless base stations such as wireless base station 131.

The transponder 123 includes a modulator 223. Modulator 223 receives thewireless signal 153-1 as a first input as well as a new carrierfrequency CFY3 as a second input. Via the modulator 223, the transponder123 modulates the received wireless signal 153-1 onto a new carrierfrequency CFY3 to produce the wireless signal 123-1, which isbroadcasted from the transponder 123 through the structure 175 to anylistening wireless base stations such as wireless base station 131.

In one embodiment, note that each of the modulators can be configured toproduce two sideband signals. The respective transponder filters out theupper sideband signal and broadcasts only the lower sideband signal(such as signal 121-1, 122-1, 123-1, etc.) through the structure 175 toany listening wireless base stations such as wireless base station 131.Thus, in one embodiment, the wireless transponder signals (such assignal 121-1, signal 122-1, signal 123-1) is one of multiple sidebandsignals produced by a respective mixer (modulator, multiplier, etc.).

As further shown in FIG. 3 the wireless base station 131 receives thewireless communication signals 121-1, 122-1, 123-1, etc. Viademodulation of the signals, the wireless base station 131 retrieves theoriginal wireless signals (such as satellite of GPS signals) transmittedby the satellites to determine its respective location.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating signal conversion according toembodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the wireless base station 131 includesmultiple demodulators 321, 322, 323, etc., to obtain the originalwireless communication signals 151-1, 152-1, and 153-1.

For example, demodulator 321 receives input of wireless communicationsignal 121-1 and carrier frequency CFY1. Via demodulator 321, thewireless base station 131 removes the carrier frequency CFY1 from thereceived wireless communication signal 121-1 to produce the originalwireless communication signal 151-1.

In one embodiment, the time of flight between the wireless communicationsignal 151-1 being transmitted by the satellite 151 is X1+X11+DELAYT1,where DELAYT1 represents an amount of delay imparted by the modulator221 and/or demodulator 321.

The time of flight between the wireless communication signal 152-1 beingtransmitted by the satellite 152 is Y2+Y21+DELAYT2, where DELAYT2represents an amount of delay imparted by the modulator 222 and/ordemodulator 322.

The time of flight between of the wireless communication signal 153-1being transmitted by the satellite 153 is Z3+Z31+DELAYT3, where DELAYT3represents an amount of delay imparted by the modulator 223 and/ordemodulator 323.

In one embodiment, the communication management resource 140 of thewireless base station 131 receives the delay values DELAYT1, DELAYT2,DELAYT3, etc., and subtracts these respective delay times to determinethe time of flight between satellite 151 and the wireless base stationis X1+X11 for satellite 151, time of flight between satellite 152 andthe wireless base station is Y2+Y21 for satellite 152, time of flightbetween satellite 153 and the wireless base station is Z3+Z31 forsatellite 153.

In one embodiment, the communication management resource 140 uses thesecombination time of flight values (X1+X11, Y2+Y21, and Z3+Z31) toestimate or determine the location L131 of the wireless base station131. For example, the time of flight X1+X11 indicates a first distanceD11; the time of flight Y2+Y21 indicates a second distance D21; the timeof flight Z3+Z31 indicates a third distance D31; etc.

In one embodiment, the wireless base station 131 use trilateration todetermine location L131. For example, the wireless base station 131determines the location L131 based on the intersection of: i) distanceD11 from location L1, ii) distance D21 from location L2, and iii)distance D31 from location L3. The determined location is an estimate ofthe actual location of the wireless base station 131.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating location determination using asingle reference station according to embodiments herein.

In this case, a certain degree of geo-location can be used. For example,in one embodiment, wireless base station 131 can be provisioned with adistance value specifying a distance. As long as the wireless basestation 131 is detected as being within that distance from the wirelessreference station or transponder 422, the wireless base station 131 isenabled to support wireless connectivity and uses the determinedlocation to report to the allocation management resource 155 forallocation of one or more wireless channels as described herein. Thus,eligibility of the wireless base station 131 to be allocated wirelesschannels is contingent upon detecting that the wireless base station 131resides within a specific location or within a specified threshold valuedistance of a location of reference station.

In this example embodiment, in a similar manner as previously discussed,the wireless reference station 422 determines its location L2 based onwireless communication signals (such as signals 151-1, 152-1, 153-1,etc.) received from multiple satellites or the location information L2is manually assigned via an installer.

Alternatively, the location L2 of the wireless reference station 422 ismanually determined and applied to the wireless reference station 422.

In one embodiment, the wireless reference station 422 or other suitableentity communicates its location (such as latitude, longitude, andaltitude) to the wireless base station 131. Thus, the wireless basestation 131 is aware of the location L2 of the wireless referencestation 422.

The wireless base station 131 synchronizes its time clock to a clock ofthe wireless reference station 422 such that the wireless base station131 is able to determine the time of flight (TOF4) of communicationsbetween the reference station 422 and the wireless base station 131.

Via the determined time of flight information (TOF4 such as time forwireless communications to travel from the reference station 422 atlocation L2 to the wireless base station 131), the wireless base station131 determines that it resides at a distance D from the referencestation 422 at location L2. For example, the wireless signal 421 fromthe wireless reference station 422 travels at a known speed (distanceper time). In one embodiment, the distance D is determined based onmultiplying the time of flight value TOF4 by the known speed (such asaround 186,000 miles per second) of the wireless signal 421. Note thatthe speed of the wireless signal through the respective structure may beslower due to passing through solid material.

Based on a combination of the location L2 of the wireless referencestation 422 and knowing that the distance between the reference station422 and the wireless base station 131 is value D beneath or below thereference station 422 (which resides on top of a building or structure175), the wireless base station 131 estimates its location as beinglocation L131.

In one embodiment, as previously discussed, the wireless base station131 is assigned distance information D131 (or distance range). Prior torequesting wireless channel allocation from the allocation managementresource 155, the wireless base station compares the calculated value Dto its assigned distance information D131 to determine its eligibilityof being allocated one or more wireless channels.

In one embodiment, if the calculated distance D as determined by thewireless base station 131 falls within a range as specified by thedistance info D131, the wireless base station 131 is eligible and ableto register with the allocation management resource 155 for allocationof one or more wireless channels. If distance D falls outside the rangeas specified by the distance information 131, then the wireless basestation 131 is not eligible and is prevented from being allocatedwireless channels.

Additionally, or alternatively, note that the distance information D131can be configured to indicate a threshold distance value with respect tothe transponder 422 in order to be eligible for allocation of one ormore wireless channels by the allocation management resource 155.

Accordingly, embodiments herein include: receiving location informationassigned to the wireless base station; comparing the determined locationof the wireless base station to the location information assigned to thewireless base station; and based on results of the comparing,controlling assignment of a wireless channel to the wireless basestation.

In a manner as previously discussed, the wireless base station 131provides location information L131 to the allocation management resource155 when registering and requesting allocation of one or more wirelesschannels for use in the respective building in which it resides.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating multiple reference stationsdetermining their locations according to embodiments herein.

As shown in this example embodiment, network environment 100 includesmultiple wireless reference stations such as wireless reference station521, wireless reference station 522, wireless reference station 523,etc.

In one embodiment, each of the wireless reference stations resides at afixed location such as on a roof, side, etc., of a respective structure575 such as a building or other suitable entity.

More specifically, the wireless reference station 521 resides atlocation L51; the wireless reference station 522 resides at locationL52; the wireless reference station 523 resides at location L53, and soon.

The network environment 100 further includes any number of satellitessuch as satellite 151, satellite 152, satellite 153, etc. Each of thesatellites communicates a respective wireless location signalcommunicating respective timing information in the network environment100.

For example, the satellite 151 broadcasts wireless communication signal151-1 in the network environment 100. Each of the wireless referencestations 521, 522, 523, etc., receives the wireless signal 151-1.

The satellite 152 broadcasts wireless communication signal 152-1 in thenetwork environment 100. Each of the wireless reference stations 521,522, 523, etc., receives the wireless signal 152-1.

The satellite 153 broadcasts wireless communication signal 153-1 in thenetwork environment 100. Each of the wireless reference stations 521,522, 523, etc., receives the wireless signal 153-1.

In one embodiment, each of the satellites in network environment 100communicates the respective wireless signals in accordance with GPS(Global Positioning System) technology. In one embodiment, thetransponders determine their location based on timing of receiving eachof the wireless signals.

For example, the wireless reference station 521 receives: i) wirelesssignal 151-1 transmitted from the satellite 151, ii) wireless signal152-1 transmitted from the satellite 152, and iii) wireless signal 153-1transmitted from the satellite 153.

The wireless reference station 522 receives: i) wireless signal 151-1transmitted from the satellite 151, ii) wireless signal 152-1transmitted from the satellite 152, and iii) wireless signal 153-1transmitted from the satellite 153.

The wireless reference station 523 receives: i) wireless signal 151-1transmitted from the satellite 151, ii) wireless signal 152-1transmitted from the satellite 152, and iii) wireless signal 153-1transmitted from the satellite 153.

In one embodiment, if desired, using GPS techniques, each of thewireless reference stations 521, 522, 523, etc., determines theirlocation by computing the difference between the time that a respectivewireless signal is sent from a satellite and the time the respectivewireless signal is received by the wireless reference station. Thesatellites can be configured to implement atomic clocks that provideextremely accurate time.

In one embodiment, to determine location, via trilateration, arespective wireless reference station determines the time differencebetween the time of signal reception by the wireless reference stationand the corresponding broadcast time from the satellite (such asindicated by information in the respective received wireless signal) tocompute the distance of the respective wireless reference station to thesatellite. Based on time of flight information associated with receivingeach of 3 or more received wireless satellite signals, each respectivewireless reference station 521, 522, 523, etc., determines its location.In one embodiment, each of the wireless reference stations 521, 522,523, etc., communicates their determined location coordinates to thewireless base station 131 in furtherance of the wireless base station131 calculating its own location.

In a similar manner as previously discussed, in one embodiment, thewireless reference stations determine their locations based on time offlight of respective wireless signals. Time of flight represents a timeit takes for a respective signal to travel from the satellite to thecorresponding wireless reference station.

For example, wireless signal 151-1 has a time of flight X1 betweensatellite 151 and wireless reference station 521; wireless signal 151-1has a time of flight X2 between satellite 151 and wireless referencestation 522; wireless signal 151-1 has a time of flight X3 betweensatellite 151 and wireless reference station 523.

Wireless signal 152-1 has a time of flight Y1 between satellite 152 andwireless reference station 521; wireless signal 152-1 has a time offlight Y2 between satellite 152 and wireless reference station 522;wireless signal 152-1 has a time of flight Y3 between satellite 152 andwireless reference station 523.

Wireless signal 153-1 has a time of flight Z1 between satellite 151 andwireless reference station 521; wireless signal 153-1 has a time offlight Z2 between satellite 153 and wireless reference station 522;wireless signal 153-1 has a time of flight Z3 between satellite 153 andwireless reference station 523.

Because the wireless signals travel at a known speed, the times offlight indicate a respective distance between the correspondingsatellite and the receiving wireless reference station.

The wireless reference station 521 therefore receives the wirelesssignal 151-1, wireless signal 152-1, wireless signal 153-1, etc. Basedon a time of flight of each of these wireless signals, and a knownlocation of the satellites, the wireless reference station 521determines its location (such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) asbeing L51.

The wireless reference station 522 therefore receives the wirelesssignal 151-1, wireless signal 152-1, wireless signal 153-1, etc. Basedon a time of flight of each of these wireless signals, and a knownlocation of the satellites, the wireless reference station 522determines its location (such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) asbeing L52.

The wireless reference station 523 therefore receives the wirelesssignal 151-1, wireless signal 152-1, wireless signal 153-1, etc. Basedon a time of flight of each of these wireless signals, and a knownlocation of the satellites, the wireless reference station 523determines its location (such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) asbeing L53.

Thus, in one embodiment, each of the wireless reference stations at thestructure 575 determines its respective location based upon receptionand processing of wireless signals.

Additionally, or alternatively with respect to determining locationbased on received wireless signals and trilateration, note that arespective installation technician can program each of the wirelessreference stations with corresponding location information indicatingtheir respective location in the network environment 100.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating determination of location of awireless station in a building using input from multiple referencestations according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, the LTE (Long Term Evolution) wirelesscommunication protocol has a Network Listening capability forsynchronizing femtocells (small cell wireless base stations) withmacrocells (large cell wireless base stations).

The wireless base station 131 can be configured to determine itslocation and synchronize itself to a network by communicating with oneor more wireless reference station 521, wireless reference station 522,etc., having Macrocell network listen capability. The wireless referencestations can be equipped with an application that performs PTP(Precision Timing Protocol). In such an instance, the application in thewireless reference station retrieves and/or determines its locationbased on GPS signals such as in a manner as previously discussed.Location information can also be retrieved.

The wireless base station 131 such as a femtocell communicates with themacrocell wireless base station (such as wireless base station 132,wireless base station 133, wireless reference station 521, wirelessreference station 522, etc.) and connects to the application. Thefemtocell wireless base station requests synchronization. Theapplication in the macrocell initiates the PTP protocol. The PTPprotocol synchronizes the femtocell with the Macrocell wireless basestation and also determines the propagation delay from the macrocell tothe femtocell. The application also provides a time window for thefemtocell wireless base station to check back in for a time update.

The time window may be based on the holdover time that the clock of thefemtocell wireless base station is able to maintain. The holdover timeof the femtocell wireless base station can be communicated from thefemtocell wireless base station to the macrocell. In one embodiment, thereason for the time window is to spread out the requests to even out theload on the macrocell to support timing.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the PTP algorithm alsoallows the femtocell to know what the propagation delay is between themacrocell and the femtocell. The macrocell can provide its locationcoordinates, or the femtocell can retrieve them from a database. Thefemtocell now attempts to communicate with a second or possibly a third,fourth, etc., macrocell wireless base station (such as wirelessreference station) in the network environment 100 and requests a PTPalgorithm be run. With location coordinates from 3 or more macrocells,the femtocell (such as wireless base station 131) calculates its ownlocation L131. This location is passed to a so-called spectrum accesssystem when requesting allocation of one or more wireless channels. Thislocation information can also be used to track the femtocell, or evengeo-fence the femtocell.

Once the femtocell is synchronized, it can behave as the macrocell inassisting other devices in determining their location and becomingsynchronized. In other words, as further discussed below, the femtocellnow becomes a wireless reference station for other wireless basestations in the structure 575 trying to determine their locations.

A newly synchronized femtocell, or a functionally reduced femtocellacting as a wireless reference station can be mounted anywhere in thestructure 575 to fill in timing and location holes. If operated in theCBRS band, the femtocell (such as wireless base station 131) needs a wayto contact a SAS. It can do so by first acting as a UE and calling aserving application such as communication management resource 140. Itreports its location from the GPS information it receives from thewireless reference stations 521, 522, 523, etc. In this way, the timingand location beacon does not need a permanent connection to the network.

Alternatively, if the femtocell does have a permanent connection to thenetwork, it can use the same techniques as the femtocells to triangulateits location if it does not have GPS or is in a location where a GPSsignal is not available.

This capability does not need to be a particular band. It could be inthe CBRS band with CBRS service and compliant with SAS. It could also bein unlicensed bands. If implemented in lower frequency bands, coveragewill be better provided that the femtocells also have radios in the samelower bands.

Now, more specifically, in this further example embodiment, the wirelessbase station 131 synchronizes itself with a master clock collectivelyassociated with multiple reference stations 521, 522, 523, etc., innetwork environment 100.

The wireless base station 131 of unknown location receives wirelesssignals from the multiple reference stations 521, 522, 523, etc. Basedon timing of the received wireless signals (such as based on time offlight information), and known locations of the wireless referencestations, the wireless base station 131 determines its current locationL131 in the building (such as structure 575) with respect to themultiple reference stations 521, 522, 523, etc.

Further in this example embodiment, note that each wireless referencestation broadcasts one or more wireless signals in vicinity of thestructure 575 (such as one or more buildings) to any wireless stationsin the structure 575 that would like to determine their respectivelocation.

More specifically, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 , the wirelessreference station 521 generates wireless signals 521-1; the wirelessreference station 522 generates wireless signals 522-1; the wirelessreference station 523 generates wireless signals 523-1; and so on.

In one embodiment, the wireless signals 521-1 indicate an identity ofthe wireless reference station 521 transmitting the wireless signals521-1 as well as corresponding time information indicating when arespective wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless referencestation 521 through the structure 575.

The wireless signals 522-1 indicate an identity of the wirelessreference station 522 transmitting the wireless signals 522-1 as well ascorresponding time information indicating when a respective wirelesssignal is transmitted from the wireless reference station 522 throughthe structure 575.

The wireless signals 523-1 indicate an identity of the wirelessreference station 523 transmitting the wireless signals 523-1 as well ascorresponding time information indicating when a respective wirelesssignal is transmitted from the wireless reference station 523 throughthe structure 575.

In accordance with further example embodiments, each of the wirelessreference stations also forwards its corresponding determined locationinformation to the wireless base station 131. For example, the wirelessreference station 521 or other suitable entity forwards a location valueof L51 (location of the wireless reference station 521) to the wirelessbase station 131; the wireless reference station 522 or other suitableentity forwards a location value of L52 (location of the wirelessreference station 522) to the wireless base station 131; the wirelessreference station 523 or other suitable entity forwards a location valueof L53 (location of the wireless reference station 523) to the wirelessbase station 131; and so on.

In one embodiment, the wireless base station 131 uses the location ofthe wireless reference stations and time of flight informationassociated with received wireless signals 521-1, 522-1, 523-1, etc., asa basis to determine its own location.

For example, using trilateration, based on the times of flight X61, Y61,Z61, etc., associated with receiving wireless signals 521-1, 522-1,523-1, etc., from requested wireless reference stations, the wirelessbase station 131 determines its own location L131 in the structure.

As a more specific example, in one embodiment, wireless base station 131is synchronized with a master clock of the wireless reference stations521, 522, 523, etc. Based on the timing (such as time of flight)associated with receiving wireless signal 521-1 with respect to a timethat the wireless signal 521-1 is transmitted from the wirelessreference station 521, the wireless base station 131 determines that itis a distance D1 from the wireless reference station 521 at locationL51.

Based on the timing (such as time of flight) associated with receivingwireless signal 522-1 with respect to a time that the wireless signal522-1 is transmitted from the wireless reference station 522, thewireless base station 131 determines that it is a distance D2 from thewireless reference station 522 at location L52.

Based on the timing (such as time of flight) associated with receivingwireless signal 523-1 with respect to a time that the wireless signal523-1 is transmitted from the wireless reference station 523, thewireless base station 131 determines that it is a distance D3 from thewireless reference station 523 at location L53.

In one embodiment, using trilateration (such as intersection ofrespective distances D1, D2, D3, etc., with respect to the wirelessreference stations transmitting the signals), the wireless base station131 determines its location as being L131 (such as latitude, longitude,and altitude) with respect to the wireless reference stations.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating allocation of one or morewireless channels to a wireless base station based on its determinedlocation according to embodiments herein.

As further shown, after determining its location L131, the wireless basestation 131 communicates over network 190 to the communicationmanagement resource 140 (such as a so-called domain proxy or othersuitable entity) that handles communications on behalf of the allocationmanagement resource 155 (such as a spectrum access system). Thecommunication management resource 140 forwards registration informationassociated with wireless base station 131 and a request (such as channelrequest 761) for allocation of one or more wireless channels from thewireless base station 131 to the allocation management resource 155.

As its name suggests, via channel allocation information 195 inrepository 181, the allocation management resource 155 keeps track ofand controls allocation of one or more wireless channels to wirelessstations (including wireless station 131, 132, 133, etc.) in the networkenvironment 100 such that the two nearby wireless stations (such asresiding on the same floor or same altitude in structure 575) are notallocated the same wireless channel.

Note that there may be sufficient isolation amongst the wireless basestations on different floors (such as one wireless base station on floor#1 and another wireless base station on floor #20) of the structure 575such that two or more wireless base stations on different floors in thestructure 575 can be allocated the same wireless channel for use.

Via the allocation management resource 155, one or more wirelesschannels are allocated based on knowing a location of the respectiverequesting wireless stations 131, 132, 133, etc., and spatiallyseparating use of the same wireless channel prevents wirelessinterference amongst the wireless base stations.

Note further that subsequent to the wireless base station 131 learningits location L131 in the structure 575, the other wireless base stationssuch as wireless base station 132, wireless base station 133, etc., inthe structure 175 can be configured to receive communications signalsfrom wireless reference stations 521, 522, 523, etc., as well aswireless signals from wireless base station 131 to determine theirlocation.

For example, in one embodiment, the wireless base station 132 issynchronized with wireless base station 131 as well as wirelessreference stations 521, 522, 523, etc. Wireless base station 132 alsoreceives location information indicating respective locations of thewireless base station 131 and locations of wireless reference stations521, 522, 523, etc.

In a similar manner as previously discussed, the wireless base station132 determines a respective time of flight associated with wirelesscommunications from the wireless base station 131 and the wirelessreference stations 521, 522, 523, etc. Via the time of flightinformation of signals 521-1, 522-1, 523-1, and 524-1 from respectivewireless stations (wireless reference stations 521, 522, 523 andwireless base station 131) the wireless base station 132 determinesdistances of the wireless base station 132 to each of the wirelessstations.

For example, via the time of flight of the wireless signal 521-1 fromthe wireless reference station 521 to the wireless base station 132, thewireless base station 132 determines that the wireless base station 132is at a distance of D71 from the wireless reference station 521.

Via the time of flight of the wireless signal 522-1 from the wirelessreference station 522 to the wireless base station 132, the wirelessbase station 132 determines that the wireless base station 131 is at adistance of D72 from the wireless reference station 522.

Via the time of flight of the wireless signal 523-1 from the wirelessreference station 523 to the wireless base station 132, the wirelessbase station 132 determines that the wireless base station 132 is at adistance of D73 from the wireless reference station 523.

Via the time of flight of the wireless signal 524-1 from the wirelessbase station 131 to the wireless base station 132, the wireless basestation 132 determines that the wireless base station 132 is at adistance of D74 from the wireless base station 131.

Based on trilateration, such as an intersection of the distances D71,D72, D73, D74 from the respective locations of transmitting wirelessstations, the wireless base station 132 determines its location as L132.In such an instance, the wireless base station 132 (such as a femtocell,macrocell, etc.) supports location determination by other wireless basestations in the structure 575. For example, wireless base station 131determines its location L131 based on locations of wireless referencestations 521, 522, 523, etc. Wireless base station 132 determines itslocation L132 based on locations of one or more wireless referencestations 521, 522, 523, etc., as well as a location of wireless basestation 131 and corresponding wireless signals 524-1.

In a similar manner, each of the wireless stations in the structure 575can be configured to utilize input from other wireless stations todetermine their respective location.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating generation of dynamic channelallocation information indicating allocation of bandwidth at differenttiers of a channel hierarchy according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, communication management resource 140 can beconfigured to allocate any suitable type of wireless spectrum(bandwidth, wireless channels, etc.) for use by the communicationdevices such as wireless base stations in the network environment 100.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, the communication managementresource 140 allocates bandwidth (wireless channels) from a so-calledCBRS (Citizens Band Radio System) band operating between 3.550 and 3.700GHz (GigaHertz) (such as 150 MegaHertz or 15 wireless channels that areeach 10 MHz wide).

Also, as previously discussed, communication management resource 140(such as spectrum access system, allocation management resource, orother suitable entity) keeps track, at any given time, which wirelesschannels or portions of the multi-tier wireless spectrum or multi-tierradio band (such as CBRS band) are available in the geographical regionin which the network environment 100 resides. If government use (such asvia a so-called incumbent user) is detected or requested via appropriateinput (such as around time T5) to the allocation management resource140, certain channels (such as those used by the general public) are nolonger available for use as shown in the content access information195-2.

More specifically, in this example, the allocation managementinformation 195-1 (a first instance of allocation managementinformation) indicates that between time T1 and time T5, channels 7-15are available to the general authorized access users (general public orlow priority users) for use; channels 1-6 are available for use bylicensee #1. In a manner as previously discussed, these channels areallocated for use by the wireless base stations in network environment100.

As further shown, at or around time T5, assume that the communicationmanagement resource 140 receives input indicating use of a portion(channels 7-12) of the spectrum by an incumbent user such as thegovernment. In such an instance, the allocation management resource 140updates the channel allocation information such that the allocationmanagement information 195-2 indicates that only channels 13-15 areallocated as being available to the general authorized access users;channels 7-12 are assigned for use by an incumbent entity requesting useor actually using the channels; wireless channels 1-6 are allocated foruse by a first licensee. Thus, after time T5, the wireless channels 7-12are no longer available for use by the lower priority users (i.e.,general authorized access users) such as wireless base station 131.

In one embodiment, in response to revocation of the allocation ofwireless channels 7-12, the communication management resource 140notifies the wireless base station 131 at or around time T5 that thewireless base station 131 is no longer able to use wireless channel #7because this channel has been revoked and assigned for use by theincumbent user.

Thus, between time T1 and time T5, assume that the allocation managementresource 155 allocates wireless base station 131 use of the wirelesschannels #7 to provide wireless service to one or more correspondingcommunication devices. At or around time T5, the communicationmanagement resource 140 deallocates use of the wireless channel #7 fromthe wireless base station 131 in favor of use of the wireless channels#7 being used by or allocated to the incumbent user after time T5. Thisillustrates the dynamic availability of different wireless channelbandwidth in a hierarchy as shared in network environment 100. Forexample, if communication management resource 140 allocates use ofwireless channels #7-12 in the hierarchy of available channels to any ofone or more base stations, communication devices, etc., then thecommunication management resource 140 must de-allocate use of suchwireless channels during conditions in which a higher priority so-calledincumbent user relinquishes use of wireless channels 7-12 at or aroundtime T5. In such an instance, as previously discussed, the communicationmanagement resource 140 deallocates the wireless channels 7-12 fromrespective wireless stations for use instead by the incumbent user(higher priority user).

FIG. 9 is an example block diagram of a computer system for implementingany of the operations as previously discussed according to embodimentsherein.

Any of the resources (such as mobile communication devices, wirelessaccess points, wireless reference stations, wireless base stations,communication management resource, bandwidth management resource,allocation management resource, etc.) as discussed herein can beconfigured to include computer processor hardware and/or correspondingexecutable instructions to carry out the different operations asdiscussed herein.

As shown, computer system 950 of the present example includes aninterconnect 911 that coupling computer readable storage media 912 suchas a non-transitory type of media (which can be any suitable type ofhardware storage medium in which digital information can be stored andretrieved), a processor 913 (computer processor hardware), I/O interface914, and communications interface 917.

I/O interface(s) 914 supports connectivity to repository 980 and inputresource 992.

Computer readable storage medium 912 can be any hardware storage devicesuch as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In oneembodiment, the computer readable storage medium 912 stores instructionsand/or data.

As shown, computer readable storage media 912 can be encoded withmanagement application 140-1 (e.g., including instructions) to carry outany of the operations as discussed herein.

During operation of one embodiment, processor 913 accesses computerreadable storage media 912 via the use of interconnect 911 in order tolaunch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions inmanagement application 140-1 stored on computer readable storage medium912. Execution of the management application 140-1 produces managementprocess 140-2 to carry out any of the operations and/or processes asdiscussed herein.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 950can include other processes and/or software and hardware components,such as an operating system that controls allocation and use of hardwareresources to execute management application 140-1.

In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system mayreside in any of various types of devices, including, but not limitedto, a mobile computer, a personal computer system, wireless station,connection management resource, a wireless device, a wireless accesspoint, a base station, phone device, desktop computer, laptop, notebook,netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer,workstation, network computer, application server, storage device, aconsumer electronics device such as a camera, camcorder, set top box,mobile device, video game console, handheld video game device, aperipheral device such as a switch, modem, router, set-top box, contentmanagement device, handheld remote control device, any type of computingor electronic device, etc. The computer system 950 may reside at anylocation or can be included in any suitable resource in any networkenvironment to implement functionality as discussed herein.

Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussedvia flowcharts in FIGS. 10 and 11 . Note that the steps in theflowcharts below can be executed in any suitable order.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 illustrating an example method according toembodiments. Note that flowchart 1000 overlaps/captures general conceptsas discussed herein.

In processing operation 1010, the transponder 121 receives a firstwireless satellite signal 151-1. The first wireless satellite signal151-1 is received at a first wireless carrier frequency and supportslocation determination.

In processing operation 1020, the transponder 121 converts the firstwireless satellite signal 151-1 into a first wireless transponder signal121-1.

In processing operation 1030, the transponder 121 transmits the firstwireless transponder signal 121-1 in the network environment 100including wireless station 131. The first wireless transponder signal istransmitted at a second carrier frequency and supports locationdetermination by the wireless station 131.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart 1100 illustrating an example method according toembodiments. Note that flowchart 1100 overlaps/captures general conceptsas discussed herein.

In processing operation 1110, the wireless base station 131 of unknownlocation is synchronized with each of multiple wireless referencestations 521, 522, and 523 in a network environment 100.

In processing operation 1120, the wireless base station 131 receiveswireless signals (such as wireless signal 121-1) from the multiplewireless reference stations.

In processing operation 1130, based on timing of the received wirelesssignals, the wireless base station determines its location in thebuilding (such as structure) with respect to the multiple wirelessreference stations.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited to determine alocation of a wireless station and subsequent allocation of wirelesschannels in a network environment. However, it should be noted thatembodiments herein are not limited to use in such applications and thatthe techniques discussed herein are well suited for other applicationsas well.

Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific detailshave been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimedsubject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., thatwould be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described indetail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Some portions of thedetailed description have been presented in terms of algorithms orsymbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digitalsignals stored within a computing system memory, such as a computermemory. These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examplesof techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processingarts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.An algorithm as described herein, and generally, is considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading toa desired result. In this context, operations or processing involvephysical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although notnecessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared orotherwise manipulated. It has been convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values,elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals or the like. Itshould be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms areto be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparentfrom the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like refer to actionsor processes of a computing platform, such as a computer or a similarelectronic computing device, that manipulates or transforms datarepresented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities withinmemories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmissiondevices, or display devices of the computing platform.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims. Such variations areintended to be covered by the scope of this present application. Assuch, the foregoing description of embodiments of the presentapplication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations tothe invention are presented in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A method comprising: via a first transponder: receiving afirst satellite signal transmitted from a first satellite, the firstsatellite signal received at a first wireless carrier frequency from thefirst satellite and supporting location determination; and modulatingthe first satellite signal with a second carrier frequency to output afirst wireless transponder signal from the first transponder, the firstwireless transponder signal supporting location determination by awireless station.
 2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: viathe first transponder, receiving the first satellite signal as one ofmultiple satellite signals; and selecting the first satellite signalamongst the multiple satellite signals to modulate with the secondcarrier frequency to produce the first wireless transponder signal. 3.The method as in claim 2, wherein the selection of the first satellitesignal amongst the multiple satellite signals is based upon a respectivenearness of the first transponder to the first satellite.
 4. The methodas in claim 1, wherein the first wireless transponder signal is one ofmultiple sideband signals produced by a modulator converting the firstsatellite signal into the first transponder signal.
 5. The method as inclaim 1, wherein the first wireless satellite signal is transmitted froma first GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite.
 6. The method as inclaim 1 further comprising: via the first transponder: receiving asecond satellite signal transmitted from a second satellite, the secondsatellite signal received at a third wireless carrier frequency from thesecond satellite and supporting location determination; and modulatingthe second satellite signal with a fourth carrier frequency to output asecond wireless transponder signal from the first transponder, thesecond wireless transponder signal supporting location determination bythe wireless station.
 7. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:wirelessly transmitting a message in the network environment, themessage indicating a location of the first transponder.
 8. The method asin claim 1, wherein the first wireless transponder signal provides anindication of a broadcast time of the first satellite transmitting thefirst satellite signal.
 9. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:via the first transponder, determining a location of the firsttransponder based on the first satellite signal and a second wirelesssatellite signal received by the first transponder.
 10. The method as inclaim 1, wherein the first transponder resides outside of a building andthe wireless station resides in the building.
 11. A system comprising: afirst transponder operative to: receive a first satellite signaltransmitted from a first satellite, the first satellite signal receivedat a first wireless carrier frequency from the first satellite andsupporting location determination; and modulate the first satellitesignal with a second carrier frequency to output a first wirelesstransponder signal from the first transponder, the first wirelesstransponder signal supporting location determination by a wirelessstation.
 12. The system as in claim 11, wherein the first transponder isfurther operative to: receive the first satellite signal as one ofmultiple satellite signals; and select the first satellite signalamongst the multiple satellite signals to modulate with the secondcarrier frequency to produce the first wireless transponder signal. 13.The system as in claim 12, wherein the selection of the first satellitesignal amongst the multiple satellite signals is based upon a respectivenearness of the first transponder to the first satellite.
 14. The systemas in claim 11, wherein the first wireless transponder signal is one ofmultiple sideband signals produced by a modulator converting the firstsatellite signal into the first transponder signal.
 15. The system as inclaim 11, wherein the first wireless satellite signal is transmittedfrom a first GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite.
 16. The systemas in claim 11, wherein the first transponder is further operative to:receive a second satellite signal transmitted from a second satellite,the second satellite signal received at a third wireless carrierfrequency from a second satellite and supporting location determination;and modulate the second satellite signal with a fourth carrier frequencyto output a second wireless transponder signal from the firsttransponder, the second wireless transponder signal supporting locationdetermination by the wireless station.
 17. The system as in claim 11,wherein the first transponder is further operative to: wirelesslytransmitting a message in the network environment, the messageindicating a location of the first transponder.
 18. The system as inclaim 11, wherein the first wireless transponder signal provides anindication of a broadcast time of the first satellite transmitting thefirst satellite signal.
 19. The system as in claim 11, wherein the firsttransponder is further operative to: determine a location of the firsttransponder based on the first satellite signal and a second wirelesssatellite signal received by the first transponder.
 20. The system as inclaim 11, wherein the first transponder resides outside of a buildingand the wireless station resides in the building.
 21. Computer-readablestorage hardware having instructions stored thereon, the instructions,when carried out by computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware to: receive a first satellite signal transmitted froma first satellite, the first satellite signal received at a firstwireless carrier frequency from the first satellite and supportinglocation determination; and modulate the first satellite signal with asecond carrier frequency to output a first wireless transponder signalfrom the first transponder, the first wireless transponder signalsupporting location determination by a wireless station.
 22. A methodcomprising: at a wireless station: receiving a first wirelesstransponder signal from a first transponder, the first wirelesstransponder signal generated via modulation of a first satellite signalreceived at the first transponder; receiving a second wirelesstransponder signal from a second transponder, the second wirelesstransponder signal generated via modulation of a second satellite signalreceived at the second transponder; and determining a location of thewireless station based on the first wireless transponder signal and thesecond wireless transponder signal.
 23. The method as in claim 22,wherein determining the location of the wireless station includes:demodulating the first wireless transponder signal to obtain the firstsatellite signal; demodulating the second wireless transponder signal toobtain the second satellite signal; and producing location informationindicating the location of the wireless station based on the firstsatellite signal and the second satellite signal.
 24. The method as inclaim 22, wherein determining the location of the wireless stationincludes: producing location information indicating the location of thewireless station based on a time of flight of the first wirelesstransponder signal and a time of flight of the second wirelesstransponder signal.